Improvement in mail-bag fastener and tag-holder



J. B. GATHRIGHT. Mail Bag Fastener and Tag-Holder.

Patented Dec. '3, 1878.

Morzzqy,

N-PEIERS, FHOTD-LITMDGRAPNER, WASHINGTON- D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

JOSIAH B. GATHRIGHT, on LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN MAIL-BAG FASTENERANDTAG-HOLDER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 210,417, dated December 3, 1878; application filed October 30, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSIAH B. GATHRIGHT, of the city of Louisville, county of Jefferson, State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Fastener and Tag-Holder, of which the following is a correct specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,

The object of my invention is to provide an improved fastener for bags, particularly designed for tie mail-bags, and to combine in the same device a label or tag holder, all as hereinafter described.

My invention consists, first, in constructing the block A as seen in the drawings,Figure 1- viz., with the slots to and b, each in an end of the block, and the holes 61,6, f, and The cord (after being laced through the top of the bag, as in the present tie mail-bags) has one end passed through hole d from the rear and back through 0, while the other end of the cord is passed through f and back through g. The ends are now tied together, partly to prevent slipping back through the holes, and partly to form a loop, whereby both cords may be handled as one, all as seen in Fig. 1.-

To fasten the bag securely with this device. we place one hand upon the device to push, and with the other take hold of the cords where they come through holes (I and f then, drawing the cords and pushing the block simultaneously, we draw the mouth of the bags into a close gather; then,while the thumb of the left hand prevents the cords from slipping, the right hand carries the cords around through slot b, and back through slot at. The left thumb again comes into play to prevent slipping, while the right hand releases its hold at this point and seizes the united ends of the cord at G, and draws them through. until they are taut between slot and holes. This fastening is quickly made, and cannot slip or be accidentally loosened. On the other hand, it can be quickly released by proper effort. To release, seize the block with lefthand, and with the right seize the cords between slot ct and holes 0 and 9. Draw up the loose end of cords sufficient to unwind it from the slots, when the two hands may readily spread the bag open.

My invention consists, secondly, in so con structing this fastening device that it will also perform the function of label or tag holder.

The rectangular groove B, Fig. 1, forms a recess, into which the tag-card is placed, as seen in Fig. 2, by bending the card and slip ping one end under the loops at a time. The loops K and L perform also the function of strengthening-bands for the block, when made of wood. i

To facilitate the removal of the card, the hole H, Fig. 1, is made through the block about the center of the groove. The end of the'small finger, a pencil, or any small thing convenient maybe used through this hole from the rear to push the card-center from the groove, so the hand may seize and manipulate it.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The fastener A, provided with slots a and b, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

2. The fastener A, provided with slots a and b, and holes (I, c, f, and g, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described. 3. In a mail-bag fastener and tag-holder, the combination, with the fastener A, provided" with the socket B, of the crossbars K and L, all substantially as and for the purpose stated.

JOSIAH B. GATHRIGHT. WVitnesses:

J OHN J. HARmsoN, G. W. BRADEN. 

